Foldable leg table



Feb. 12, 1935. J, v CULVER 1,990,817

FOLDABLE LEG- T-ABLE Filed March 30, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 5 i 3nnenfor da/m K604 1/59 j 8H QQW 5 Z (lttorneg Feb. 12, 1935. J, v. CULVER FOLDABLE LEG TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 50, 1932 3nventor dohw l/ C an/5e Patented Feb. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES FOLDABLE John V. Culver,

Application March "so,

4' Claims.

My invention relates to foldable leg tables, and the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a table of this class in which all four legs thereof shift from their collapsed 5 or folded positions to their open positions simultaneously;

Second, to provide a table of this class in which any one of its legs maybe used as a lever for shifting itself as well as the remaining legs to their extended or their folded positions;

Third, to provide a table of this class which is particularly sturdy inasmuch as one leg cannot give way by reason of its connection with the other legs of the table;

Fourth, to provide a table of this class which incorporates a'novel hinge structure forming a brace along a plane intersecting the axis of rotation of the table leg, and

Fifth, to provide on the whole a novelly constructed foldable leg table which is durable, efficient in its action, particularly simple of construction proportional to its functions, .and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order. I

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a bottom View of my novel foldable leg table with the legs thereof shown in their folded position; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary bottom view of the table showing the parts in the positions assumed when the legs are extended; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through 33 of Fig. 1 showing bydotted lines the positions assumed when the table leg is extended Fig. dis a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view through 4-4 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view through 55 of Fig. 2.

Similar characters of reference referto similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

Table top 1, marginal rims 2, molding 3, diagonal braces 4, corner reinforcing plates 5, legs 6, hinge member 7, brackets 8, brace members 9 and 10, pins 11, connecting links 12, connectors '13, operating levers 14, journal pin 15, and tie rods 16, constitute the principal parts and portions of my novel foldable leg tables.

My novel foldable leg table includes a table top 1 which is provided with a depending marginal rim 2 along each side. The outer side of each rim 2 is covered by a molding 3 which projects below the rim 2 forming a skirt and extends above the rim so as to form a finishing LEG TABLE San Diego, Calif. i9s2 ,1ser ia1 No. 601,969

edge to thetable top. The table isreinforced by diagonal braces 4 extending from opposite corners. The lower surfaces of these braces are substantially flush with the rims 2. The forementioned parts are preferably formed of wood. The ends of the marginal rims are joined together across the ends of the diagonal braces 4.- by means of metallic corner reinforcing plates 5. The lower portions of the plates 5 project below the rims 2.

A leg 6 is provided for each corner of the table. Each leg is jcurnalled by means of a hinge member '7 which may be. formed of strap iron bent to form one side and the hypotenuse of a triangle, designated 7a and 72), respectively. The extended end, designated '70, of the hypotenuse portion is bent so as to extend along the inner side of the corresponding leg 6 and is secured thereto by a rivet 6a or the like. The side forming portion la extends across the extremity of the leg 6 and itsend portion 7:1 is bent so as to fit adjacent the outer side of the leg. A rivet 6b which extends through the adjacent corner reinforcing 5 as Well as the end portion 6d, and the leg 6, both secures the hinge member 7 to the leg 6 and journals these members relative to the reinforcing 5. At the apex of the hinge there is provided a flattened portion 7e disposed in parallel relation with the leg 6. Said flattened portion Fe is riveted at 804 to a bracket 8 which is secured to the inner side of the adjacent mar- .ginal rim 2. The rivets 6b and 8a are in alinement and permit rotation of the leg 6 about their common axis.

When folded each leg 6 is adapted to lay along the under side of the corresponding rim 2 adjacent and Within the correspondingmolding .3. When the legs are in their extended position their upper ends are disposed adjacent the rims within the corners of the table...

Each leg 6 is provided with a pair of brace members 9 and 10. The brace members 9 and 10 are hinged together by means of pins 11 which may be in the form of rivets. The remaining extremity of each brace member 9 is connected to the corresponding leg 6 by the rivet 6a which also holds the hinge end 70. The remaining extremity of each brace member 10 is secured to the corresponding rim 2, as indicated by 10a. The first extremity of the brace memher 9 protrudes a short distance beyond the brace member 10 and is provided with a suitable projection or lug 9a. adapted to engage a corresponding indent lob provided in the other f brace member so that the two brace members may be held in axial alinement when the corresponding leg is extended.

One end of a connecting link 12 is also journalled by each pin 11. The connecting links 12 extend along the inner sides of the rim 2 adja- 13 in such a manner that the connecting links are free to rotate in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the plane in which the corresponding leg 6 rotates. The connectors 13 are relatively short and are pivotally connected at their remaining extremities to the end portions of operating levers 14. Two operatinglevers-14 are provided which are arranged in the form of a cross thereby providing four'radiating arms 14a. The central or intersecting portions of the diagonal braces 4 are cut away so as to receive the central portions of the operating levers; A journal pin 15 is provided for the operating levers which is disposed at the point of intersection of the two diagonal brace members 4.

The forementioned extremities, designated 14b, of the operating levers 14 are doubled back and extend a short distance radially inwardly adjacent the corresponding arms 14a and are then bent away therefrom forming with the adjacent portions of the corresponding arms14a journal brackets which receive the connectors 13. 'The axis of the journal brackets 140 is at right angles to the axisconnecting the connectors 13 with the connecting links 12, thereby providing a univ'ersalconnection between the connecting links 12 and the operating levers 14.'

A short distance inwardly from each journal bracket said operating levers 14 are provided with tie rods 16 which extend between adjacent arms 14a holding the several arms in rigid relation. The extremities 14b of the arms 14a are adapted toniovein guide slots 2a provided in the rim portion 2.

When any one of the legs 6 is pulled outwardly the pair of operating levers 14 are rotated in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 1 causing all of the legs to move in unison. Thus, rotation of the operating levers in one direction opens the table, while rotation in the opposite direction folds the legs,

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims] Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

'1. In a folding table, a table top, legs for supporting said table top, corner reinforcements for the table top, hinges securing said legs to said table top, each hinge including; a lateral arm portion extending contiguous to and across the end of the corresponding leg and along the under side of the table top, alined journaled porticns, the one embracing a side of the leg contiguous to the arm, the other disposed laterally therefrom, a hinge bracket and pin means for the other journaled portion, and a journal. pin extending through the leg and one journal portion and adjacent. corner reinforcement, and a brace portion connecting said other journaled portion with said legs inwardly from the extremities thereof, a brace for each leg, said 1,990,817 V s 1,. I

brace being hinged at its central portion and pivotally connected at its extremities to said table and said leg, a link member connected to the hinged portion of each brace, and operating means common to said link'members whereby movement of one of said legs causes a corresponding movement of the other legs.

2. In a folding table, atable top-including a tremity adjacent the hinged end of the leg 00- cupyingjthe adjacent side of said table top, diagonal braces at the under side of the table top extending from the corners of the table and intersecting in the center thereof, a centrally disposed operating means -rotatably supported 'between the table top and diagonal braces, said operating means. includingradiating arms each extending to within the side margins of said table top and guided thereby, and link members connecting saidradiating arms with said legs whereby movement of any one of said legs causes rotation of said operating means and corresponding movement of the other legs. u

3. In a folding table, a table top including. a depending marginal rim, legs 7 for supporting said table top,hinges securing said legs to said table top, said hinges including a journaied por tion extending laterally from said legs along the under side of said table top, and a brace portion connecting the extremities of said journaled portion with said legs inwardly from the extremities thereof, a brace for each leg, said brace hinged at its central portion and pivotally connected at its extremities to said table and said leg, a link member connected directly to the hinged portion of each brace, diagonal braces at the underside'of the table top intersecting at the center. thereof, a centrally disposed operating means rotatably supported between the intersecting portions of the braces and the under side of said table top, said operating means 'including radiating arms each extending to within the side margins of said table top; and guided thereby, the extended ends'of said radiating arms connected. to said link memberswhereby movement of any one of said legs causes rotation of said operating means and corresponding movement of the other legs.

4. In a folding table, a table top including a depending marginal rim, legs for supporting, said table top, hinges securingsaid legs to said table top, said legs arrangedto lay along the sides of said table top contiguous to said marginal rim each with its free extremity adjacent the hinged end of the leg occupying the adjacent side of said table top, diagonal bracesiat the under side of the table top intersecting at thecenter thereof, a centrally disposed operating means rotatably supportedbetween the intersect ing portions of the braces and the under sidefof said table top, said operating means including radiating arms each extending to within the margins of .said table top and guided thereby,

and link members connecting said radiating arms with said legs whereby movement of any one of said legs causes rotation of said operating means and corresponding movement of the other legs.

' JOI-IN v. CULVER. 

